Pregnancy Safety Do’s and Don’ts

Posted by admin on August 15, 2013

Having a baby is such an exciting time! In only a few months you get to meet your bundle of joy. It’s important to keep your baby safe and secure until then so he or she can grow properly. Here are some pregnancy safety do’s and don’ts to keep you and baby safe.

Pregnancy Do’s

1. See your doctor regularly.

This is an important one. Some women have perfect pregnancies without even a hiccup along the way. But that’s not always the case. Your doctor is the one who can tell you if your baby is growing properly, or if there are any complications that make you a high risk pregnancy. Your doctor can also give you care tips for yourself and baby to make sure you’re both getting everything you need.

Just because you become pregnant doesn’t mean you have to become a couch potato! Exercise can help you adjust to your new body. Exercise may help with back aches, sore muscles, constipation and trouble sleeping! It can also help you regain your pre-baby body more quickly after birth. Whether you worked out frequently before you became pregnant, or not at all, it’s important to make sure you talk to your doctor before you start exercising.

3. Wear a seatbelt.

One of the easiest ways to protect your baby is to wear your seatbelt every time you get in a car! Pregnant or not, it’s always a smart idea to wear your seatbelt, so if you didn’t make a habit of it before you were pregnant, hopefully you’ll continue the habit after your baby is born.

There are some great prenatal vitamins that can help ensure you’re getting all the vitamins you need during your pregnancy, but herbal remedies and supplements are generally cautioned. Some over the counter drugs are safe to take, but you need to consult with your doctor and ask them specifically. They might also be able to provide information on natural alternatives to some common pregnancy side effects like nausea.

Pregnancy Don’ts

1. Exercise too much.

Exercise is both a Do and a Don’t! The reason for this is while moderate exercise can be great for you and your baby, it’s important to understand that too much exercise can cause harm. When exercising, don’t get overheated or cause extremely labored breathing. Don’t participate in any activities where you may fall or get knocked into roughly. You can avoid exercise worries by making an exercise plan with your doctor.

2. X-rays.

This is one that most people won’t need to worry about, but it’s still worth mentioning. If you need to have an x-ray done in your abdominal area and are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, let your doctor know. Depending on the reason for the x-ray your doctor will evaluate whether to go through with it or not.

3. Taking too hot baths.

Taking a hot bath, sitting in a Jacuzzi, or spending time in a sauna, are all activities that raise your body temperature. While slight body temperature raises are fine, prolonged exposure to heat can overheat your body and cause stress to the baby. In order to make sure this doesn’t happen, keep your body temperature under 101 degrees.

4. Handling toxic chemicals.

The word “toxic” says it all. Your baby is developing rapidly and is more sensitive to harmful chemicals, especially in the first trimester. Some toxic chemicals to avoid are mercury, pesticides, lead, and BPA’s.

5. Smoking, drinking and drugs.

All inhalation of smoke causes harm to the lungs, and reduces the amount of oxygen your baby gets. Not to mention all the harmful chemicals cigarettes contain! Smoking while pregnant results in lower birth weights, underdeveloped bodies, possible heart defects, and decreased brain development, depending on smoking levels during pregnancy.

There is some discussion about drinking alcohol during pregnancy. In some parts of the world drinking a glass every once in a while is OK, in the United States it is advised against as no amount of alcohol is proven safe while pregnant. Alcohol exposure can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which can cause learning disabilities, facial deformities, speech delays and other problems for your baby.

Drugs like methamphetamines, marijuana, PCP, LSD, heroin, and cocaine can all cause serious problems for you and your baby. These drugs can cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, development problems, learning disabilities, placental abruption, feeding problems, breathing difficulties, brain damage, and infant death. It’s important to remember that whatever goes into your body goes into your baby’s body. If you go through withdrawal so does the baby, this can cause tremors, muscle spasms and sleeplessness. If you are using drugs and think you might be pregnant stop immediately and consult a doctor.

The ultimate goal of pregnancy is a healthy baby. To help ensure this, make sure you visit your doctor regularly and share any questions or concerns you have with them. To schedule a visit with a doctor visitwww.myobgynorlando.com.